*Blackness* ..... "Good morning olomouc! It's 6:30 in the morning, meaning it's time to get up!" Elder Anderson whacks the cell phone which clatters to the floor. He switched his cellphone alarm clock from a built in ringtone to a recording of himself. He'd always thought of going into the radio business, and to feel a little bit more like the truman show than normal he decided to record himself giving the weather forecast. Only thing is, the forecast was always the same, as was the traffic report. So, he left the cell phone off, rolled off the matress onto his calloused knees, and started the day off right with a prayer.
Imagine that every morning of the week, followed by several sets of pushups, curls, 21's, and a bowl of musli. Yum! Plus, the shower actually works now that I fixed the showerhead itself. By 8:00 Elder Anderson has prayed, exercised, showered, shaved, deodorized, accessorized ("Do I wear the red tie with the black suit, or the blue tie with the black suit..."), read something inspirational, and breakfasted. Then he studies the scriptures. I discovered recently that 8:00 study requires work. I used to get by by studying something useful and then opening the scriptures. It is increasingly more difficult and yet more rewarding when I study because I have to really work those spiritual muscles. 9:00 hits and it's comp study, a good session of hymn singing, comp praying, lesson planning, contacting practicing, and super psychifying (Yes, that is a word - just ask the Assistants to President Slovacek). 10:00 I read a czech grammar book to polish up, we eat a quick lunch, and it's out the door until about 9:00 when we crawl in from a full day of teaching lessons, calling czechs, finding people, knocking doors, driving cars, giving contact cards, supporting members, and supporting various ward activities. Planning from 9:00 to 9:30, calls to district leaders until about 10:00, brush teeth, change for bed, and scribble in my journal. *WHEW* Well, that's the life of your favorite Czech missionary.
The last couple of weeks have been really hard, if I haven't mentioned it in past letters. Our finding has been flabby, our investigators flakey, and Elder Nestman has broken out in a really bad case of dandruff. It's pretty bad. While we bought head and shoulders two weeks ago, I'm afraid that 2 of the problems lingered. That is, until last week. May I point your attention to the Master's words rendered in such clear typeset as follows:
Jesus said until him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. (Mark 9:23)
On Monday, I recalled how last transfer with Elder Hatch we would burst 20+ lessons a week, people were easier to work with, and progress was made without having to work as incredibly hard as we have recently. Do you feel like you work your hardest and it just isn't enough? Do you feel like you work so hard that you've never worked so hard in your life, and you're doing everything you can? Let me tell you a secret: Don't work so hard, but rely on the savior. Build up faith that it can be done, and then believe it! Choose to believe. Faith is a gift, faith is a seed, but faith is a decision. Sometimes we feel we have to build up faith, but if we just choose to believe we can find greater stores of faith than we've considered possible! Just set aside your doubts and fears and do it. You'll discover a whole different world appears.
Last week, we taught 23 lessons, up from 12 the week before. Many more people are progressing, our finding is more effective, and our progress is incredible individually. Do you know why? Because we believed that we could do it. Nothing else changed. We're still working just as hard, but it's amazing what happens when you simply tell yourself "This can be done, it has been done, it will be done." Elder Bown, my mission progeny, is right now with Elder Andersen, one of 5 Andersons in the mission right now. They are the same age in the country. But, they started this transfer and said "We can do this, 20 lessons and 4 new investigators a week." And they are! They are teaching twice as many lessons with a fraction of the experience from the transfer before. What changed? They chose to believe.
What are you afraid of? What do you doubt, in yourself or others or your surroundings? That is darkness. The scriptures, the prophets, prayer, and the Savior are full of light. Fill yourself with that light. Let the light in, and you will find you have more life, more energy, more love. You can get more done in a day. You can find greater purpose and direction. Most importantly, you have more of the spirit, which prepares and sanctifies and blesses us with what we need. And it is all because of Christ's atonement. Our faith in him can make us wholely remarkable, or we can choose to do things by ourselves. One of those ways is easier and better at the same time.
I hope that helped somebody to find the faith and vision they need to make something amazing happen in their life. In the mean time, I've got to head out. We have a zone conference this week, plus a surprise exchange to one of our districts (Don't tell!). Martin Dolecek is preparing for baptism, we found a really neat girl last week tracting with the AP's, and all is well in the Land of Olomouc North. In fact, it's SPRING! AHHH! The best time of the YEAR in this country. The temperature, humidity, everything is perfect. If you are planning a vacation to the Czech Republic, you should do it in the next 3 months. Best best time of year.
Love you all and good luck!
Thanks,
Elder Anderson
Thank you very much for the wonderful ideas. Penetrate into my heart and I learn a lot. They provide me the strength to cope with everyday tasks. I look forward to next Monday. With love, Eva
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